Radiating and supply system for thermo-electric generators



Y (No Moda.)

. H. B. COX. RADIATING AND SUPPLY SYSTEM FOB. THERMO-ELECTRI GENERATORS. No.- 528,924. Patented NOV. 13, 1894.

l electric sus HARRY BARRINGER COX, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

RADlATlNG-AND SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATORS.

SPECXFICATION' forming-part of Letters Patent No. 528,924,

dated November 1 3, 894.

Appnmionnea :rdimm 21.1894. sesamo. 501,676. moment.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l', HARRY BARRINGER COX, of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Radiating and Supply Systems for Thermo-Electric Generators; and I- do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, l to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters 'and figures of reference marked thereon, which forms part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in thermo electric generators.

The object of the invention is to provide for the employment of4 a liquid cooling and radiating medium for maintaining the surfaces of the `generator ata diterent temperature.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide animproved method of maintaining the liquid cooling medium comparatively cool and of renewing the same.

The invention consists in the improved method, and in certain novel features of construction, and in combinations'of parts more fully and particularly described hereinafter and pointed-out in the claims.

, Referring tothe accompanying drawing, which shows a sectional view of the thermoelectric generator and the liquid circulating and radiating supply system, a, isa thermo generator of any suitable or desirable construction with heating means, such as a burner b, for applying heat to the inner surfaces ofthe generator.

c, is a water jacket surrounding the generator to keep the outer surface thereof' cooland thereby maintain a fall in thermic po tential within circuit.

d, indicates any suitable liquid cooling means, such as a radiator tank, arranged at any cool location, such as the ground orin a tank of cold liquid or at a place where exposed to cold air.

Suitable connections are so arranged that the cooling liquid will circulate frm'the water jacket of the generatorthrou'gh said ra- This pipe e, connected dieting tank and back to the jacket. can be accomplished by the reference being had I tothe upper ends of the jacket and the radiator tank, and-the pipef, connected tothe.

i lower ends of said jacket and tank.

It will beobservedthat as the liquid in the jacket becomes heated it rises through the pipe e, to the radiator tank Where it is cooled off and thendrops 'through pipe f, into the liquid jacket. The liquid in the jacket is thus maintained at about an even relatively cool temperature by the circulation.

8, is a discharge or overflow from the top of the radiator tank.

ln order to' prevent unnecessary Waste of liquida constant supply of fresh liquid is not allowed to flow into' the liquid jacket with a constant waste discharged therefrom and Vsuitable means is provided to supply fresh cold Water or other cooling liquid into the ciru culating body of liquid when said body becomes so unduly heated as not to accomplish the purpose intended of producing a fall in thermic potential. To this end a suitable pulsating or intermittent liquid supply is pro vided which automatically discharges fresh cold liquid into the circulating system as the heat thereof rises above a certain point.- Referring to this mechanism, L indicatesa suitable thermometer arrangedin coutactwith the circulatingcoolingliquid. This thermometer l, preferably is located in the cooling tank d,

with its upper portion extending to the exterior thereof, and provided with the norf mally separated contact points 1, 2, projecting into the interior of the thermometer so that when the mercury of the thermometer rises toa certain point by reason of the heat of the cooling` liquid, the two points 1, 2, will be electrically connected.

3, is the electrical connection from one pole to the thermo electric generator a, to the contact point 1.

e, indicates the electrical connection from the opposite pole of the thermo-electric enerator to the contact'point 2. the complete circuit thus formed is provided with the electro magnetic mechanism 5, for controlling the valve 6, arranged in and controlling the fresh liquid supply pipe 7, preferably opening into the radiator tank d'.

This valve is normally maintained closed to shut od the supply of liquid preferably, although not necessarily, by means of a spring.

One si eof The electro magnetic controlling mechanism of the valve is so arranged that when the contact points l, 2, are electrically connected and the circuit is closed through the generator, the'electro magnetic valve mechanism 5, is energized and the valve opened permitting fresh liquid to iiow into the radiator tank until the circlllating liquid is sufici'ently cooledI to permit the thermometer to electrically diseu age the points l, and 2, 'when a circuit will be broken and thevalve closed. Apuls'ating supplyis thus provided which only supplies fresh liquid. -into the circulating medium when the -liqdid therein becomes unduly heated and -which is immediately 'shut oi when the liquid becomes cool. All waste of liquid is .thus avoided and yet the circulating bodyl is maintained comparatively cool.

` It is evident that this invention is not confined to employment with a constantly circu-A lating body, but if desired where liquid is plentiful the circulating system` of tank d, and pipe e and f, can be dispensed with and the liquid supply pipe opened directly into the liquid jacket. InVA such a construction the valve is located and controlled in practically the same way and the thermometer would be located in theV liquidjjacket as in this tank d. 4

It is evident that various changes might be made in the forms, arrangements and constructions of parte described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence l do not wish lto limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth, but con sidermyself entitled to all such changes as fall` within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what li claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Paten-t of the United States, is-

l. A thermo-electric generator having a heat controlled pulsating vcrmtrolling means for the liquid supply for the liquid .coolingr chamber of the generator, substantially as described.

2. A thermqelectric generator having its liquid cooling chamberl provided 'with controlling means for'the liquid supply thereto controlled by the temperature of the cooling medium, substantially as described.

3. A thermo electric generator having a circuit for itsl liquid cooling medium, aliquid supply into said circuit having a. valve normally closed, an electro magnetic mechanism lcontrolling said valve, a circuit including the 4. A thermo electric generator having a ing medium, a circulating system for said medium in which the same can be cooled, a liquid supply for said system provided with an electrically controlled'valve, a circuit from the generator including said valve, and aheat controlled circuit closer so that when the liquid in the circulating system becomes yheated to a certain degree the circuit will be closed and valve operated to admit cool liquid, substantially as described.

5.. The hereindescribed mode of maintaining and cooling the liquid cooling medium of a thermo-electric generator which consists in providing an automatic pulsating cool liquid supply controlled by the temperature of the liquid in the generator, substantially as described..

6. ln a thermo electric generator, the combination of a cooling liquid chamber, a valve controlled supply therefor, controlling means for said valve, a circuit including said means and'the generator, and a. h'eat controlled circuit closer operated by thetemperature of theliquid of said chamber and controlling said circuit, substantially as described.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as two witnesses.

HARRY BARRlNGER COX. Witnesses:

Criss. M. JosLYN, E. HENRY HYDE, Jr.

surrounding jacket to receive the liquid cool- 55 ygenerator and said electro magnetic mechanmy own l afx my signature in presence of 4 

